Pickard Posts Shutout In Team Canada's Final WJC Tune-Up

Preds prospect Chet Pickard made 20 saves for a 7-0 shutout over Slovakia in Team Canada's final tune-up game for this year's World Junior Championships. Pickard made 12 saves in the first period, a period in which Canada was out-shot 12-9, to allow the Canadians to escape the first period with a 1-0 advantage.

Team Canada added two goals in the second frame, before breaking the game open with three scores in a 3:06 span during the middle of the third period and then adding a goal in the final minute of regulation to close out the scoring.

Jordan Eberle scored the game-winner with his power-play goal 7:30 into the first period. John Tavares, the projected first forward to be selected in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, added a pair of goals for Team Canada. Zach Boychuck also tallied two goals for Canada. Patrice Cormier and Jamie Benn scored the other Canadian goals.

Team Canada opens the World Junior Championships on Dec. 26 against Czech Republic.

NashvillePredators.com will continue to update the progress throughout the tournament of the four Preds prospects in the World Junior Championships, Pickard (Canada), Team USA stars Jonathon Blum and Colin Wilson, and Team Finland forward Jani Lajunen.